Printing machine



May 28, 1935 w. 'r. GOLLWITZER PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1950 1l"Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1935. w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 11' Sheets-Sheet 2 May 28, 1935. w. 1'. GOLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 i1, Sheets-Sheet s May 28, 1935. w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wm j May 28, 1935. w. 'r. GOLLWITZER PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22. 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 KEN 1935. w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 1; Sheets-Sheet s y 1935. w. T. GCVJLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 ll SheetsQSheet 7 May 28, 1935. ..w 1= GQLLWITZER 2,002,772

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 M & mm- 11 w H 3 v "1 WW- N I 0 Q I :0 N E n 1 E 3 k 7 1 WM Hum v 4 W w w w' Wm M; I W WW W m if m if" 1 v, a i x1 7 6 7 I I; Ja e/2Z5 L97 Mad! 9% May 28, 1935. w. T. GOLLWITZER PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 May 28, 1935.

w. 1". GOLLWITZER PRINTING momma Filed Nov. 22, 1930 m i Q l g \1 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 11 Sheefis-Sheet 11 w. T. GOLLWITZER PRINTING momma Filed Nov. 22, 1930 J21) iazm J 29.2%

May 28, 1935.

plurality of sheets are successively fed thereinto able printing devices sequentially passed through Patented May 28, 1935 PRINTING MACHINE Walter T. Gollwitner, Chicago. Ill.,'-assignor to Addressograph Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 22, 1930, Serial No. 497,439 64 Claims; (Cl. 101-47) This invention relates to printing machines and more particularly to machines wherein a and on which impressions are made from varithe machine.

The machine is particularly useful inprinting tax bills for both real and personal property, but it is to be understood that this is merely an illustrative adaptation as it is capable of many other uses. When used in the printing of tax bills, the machine not only prints the, name and address of the party to be taxed but also prints the legal description of the property being taxed. Sometimes the legal description of a parcel of real property is of such length that it cannot be arranged on a single printing device and in such circumstances the description is arranged on asmany printing devices as required, and these printing devices are arranged in groups. The first of such a group of printing devices will have thereon thename of the'owner of the parcel of property and his address as well as other pertinent information and eitherall, when only one device is required, or as much of the legal description as can be neatly arranged thereon. These printing devices are filed in a predetermined manner and are sequentially passed through printing position in the machine and when in this position impressions are taken therefrom. Tax bills usually embody two or more sections, one of which is mailed to the party to be taxed and the other is kept by the collector of the taxes and, if provided, theadditional sections are for the use of the tax assessor or other oflicials. It is necessary that an impression he made on all sections of the tax bill from each of the printing devices and that each of the impressions on each of the sections of the tax bill be made in definite relationship to the previously made impressions. It is therefore apparent that a relative movement must take place between the tax bill and the printing devices in order that impressions from each of the printing devices may be made on each of the sections of the tax bill.

In view of the foregoing, the salient objects of my invention are to provide a novel printing machine wherein a tax bill, or other sheet to be printed, may be shifted relative to the printing device in printing position so that successive sections of the sheet may be arranged to receive impressions from such printing device; wherein the sheet may be shifted relative to the print- TFig. 16 is a front elevation ing device in printing position in order tha shown in Fig. 15;

nite relationship between the may be maintained; wherein position thereon; wherein a devices have been made on tain conditions of operation.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation structed in accordance with machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view pan;

5-5 on Fig. 2;

6-6 on Fig. 2;

'|-'-'| on Fig. 2;

8--8 on Fig. '7;

9-9 on Fig. 6;

Fig. l0l on Fig. 2;

trated in Fig. 10;

l2l2 on Fig. 2;

the machine A ll-llion Fig. 12;

g. 15 is a detail view of impressions from difl'erent printing devices may be made on the sheet in definite relationship to impressions already made thereon on the different sections thereof; wherein the sheet will be properly alignedwith the printing device in order that the impressions will be made at predetermined places on the sheet and so that a defivarious impressions the machine will be rendered inoperative until a sheet is in proper new sheet will not be fed into the machine until impressions from each of the printing devices of the group of such the previously fed sheet; and wherein a portion of the printing means may be rendered inoperative under cer- In the selected embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a machine conmy invention, certain parts being shown in section;

. Fi 1a is a detail view of a clutch used in the the machine shown Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the sheet moving means and allied mechanisms;

01 the sheet jogging Fig. 5 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 6 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 7 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 9 is a view taken substantially on the line 0 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 11 is a plan view of the device as illus- Fig. 12 is a view taken substantially on the line Fig. 13 is a plan yiew illustrating the manner, in which the-printing devices are passed through Fig. 14 is a view taken substantially on the line the speed changing araafirgement employed in the device;

of the arrangement Fig. 1'! is a perspective detail view of a connecting member associated with the parts illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16;

Fig. 17a is a fragmentary sectional detail view of parts of the speed changing arrangement shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is 'a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections employed in the device;

- as will be made apparent hereinafter.

and

Figs. 19 to --24, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating the order in which t e various impressions are successively made on Ehe sheet. The invention as disclosed in the ac ompany ing drawings is particularly adapted for use in. the printing of tax bills, and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention a tax bill, generally indicated by A (Figs. 19 to 24), is to be printed in the machine, and this tax bill comprises two sections, B and C, and while I have illustrated and will describe the invention as arranged to print on such a two-section tax bill it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such an arrangement, as a tax bill employing any number of sections may be printed therein It h8.S\ been pointed out that variable printing devices are employed in the printing of tax bills and,

especially in tax bills for real property, that the legal description of the property frequently cannot be arranged on but a single printing device, and it is therefore customary to arrange the legal description on additional printing devices, such printing devices being arranged in groups. The first of these printing devices will have thereon the name and address of the party to be talked, and this printing device will first move into printing position. The printing means of the machine are, of course, located at the printing position and'these means comprise the printing device, which is moved into such position,

the ink ribbon'or its equivalent, and the platen the various printing means at printing position.

An impression D will first be made, from said first printing device, on the section B, preferably adjacent the upper end of said section, and this impression will print the name and address of the party to be taxed and as much of the legal description of the property being taxed as is arranged on the first printing device. The sheet A will then be shifted, in the direction indicated by the arrow E in Fig. 20, in order that the upper portion of the section C will be arranged in alignment with the platen P. The impression F will then be made on the section C of, the sheet A. As indicated, the impressions D and Fare two part impressions. The upper parts of the impressions are the name and address of the {party to be taxed, while the lower parts of said impressions are the portion of the legal description arranged on the first printing device. The name and address section of the printing devices is indicated by Y (Fig. 13) while the legal description part is indicated by Z. After the impression F has been made the sheet is shifted in the direction of the arrows G and H (Fig. 21), and as 1 the sheet is shifted both in the direction indiwhichwillbealignedwlth theplatenPwillbe that portion below the portion on which the impression D was previously made in order that the impression K may be made on the sheet in alignment with the impression D. After the impression K has been made on the sheet said sheet is shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow L (Fig. 22) to align a portion of the section C of the sheet A with the platen F, and the portion so aligned with the platen P will be that portion of the section immediately below the portion on which the impression F was made, and the impression M will be made thereon. After the impression M has been made the sheet is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow N and in the direction indicated'by the arrow 0, and as the sheet is simultaneously moved in both these directions the sheet will move in the direction indicated by the arrow Q (Fig. 23) and therefore a portion of the section B will be aligned with the platen P and the portion of the section The impressions D and F, as has been stated,

are made from the first of the printing devices moved into printing position. At the time the sheet is shifted to align the portion on which the impression K is to be made with the platen, the printing devices are changed in a-manner to be described and a new printing device supplants the printing device from which the impressions D and F were made. On this new printing device there will be arranged only a portion of the legal description of the property being taxed, for it will not be necessary to repeat the name and address of the party to be taxed and the one part impressions K and M will be made from this printing device. When the sheet is shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow Q, the printing devices are again changed and a new printing device moves into printing position and the one part impressions R and T are made from this new printing device.

The printing devices of the character intended to be used in this device are of the type embodying two or more printing plate receiving portions and the printing plate having the name and address of the party to be taxed thereon is preferably arranged in the uppermost of the above named portions while the printing plate carrying the legal description is arranged in the lowermost of the portions. Inasmuch as the printing devices used in making the impressions K, M, R and T are not to imprint the name and address it is customary not to provide any printing plate in the uppermostof the portions, and since no printing plate is provided in the uppermost of the portions it is desirable that a portion of the printing means be rendered inoperative when impressions are being made from such printing devices, and this is brought about in a manner to be described.

The invention as described herein is, as has been pointed out, one which will print a tax bill having two sections and also one which will print a tax bill wherein the legal description of the property to be taxed may be arranged on three printing devices.-- However, the legal description of some pieces of property can be arranged on one printing device and when this is true impressions will be made only in the positions indicated by the impressions D and F. When this is true the sheet is merely moved to position the portions receiving the impressions D and F in printing position and after the sheet has been so positioned it is passed from the machine without moving into the other positions above described.

When the legal description of a parcel of property can be arranged on two printing devices, the sheet is moved to successively position the portions to receive impressions D, F, K, and M in printing position, and after the sheet has been successively positioned in such locations it is moved from the machine without moving into the other positions. The manner in which a tax bill is printed for a parcel of property having legal description which may be arranged on three printing devices has been described previously. However, the legal description of some pieces of property cannot be arranged on but three printing devices but must be arranged on additional printing devices. If desired, the machine may be arranged so that additional impressions may be made on the tax bill, but in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described, as has above been stated, the machine is arranged to print on each bill, when necessary, from three printing devices, for it has been found that the vast majority of legal descriptions can be arranged on not more than three printing devices.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings the unprinted tax bills A are arranged in a suitable rack 25 supported at one end of the machine, and any approved means may be provided for successively withdrawing the bills A from the rack 25 and for passing said bills into the machine. One

such means is disclosed in my co-pending applibut it is to be understood that other approved means might be used as my invention is not limited to the particular means shown in that application.

The machine in which the tax bill is printed includes a main frame 25 having at the upper end thereof a bed 21 (Fig. 12), on which bed the printing operations are performed. A bracket 28, which is a part of the main frame 25, provid-s a bearing 29 in which a shaft 32 is journaled, and rotatably mounted on this shaft is a flywheel 38. Power is transmitted to the flywheel 38 in any approved manner, from a source of power, as for example by a belt which may be arranged in the groove 3| of the flywheel. The flywheel 39 is connected to the shaft 32 by the clutch structure 33. Mounted on the shaft 32 inwardly of the bearing 29 is another clutch structure 34 which serves to connect the spur gear 35 to the shaft 32. The spur gear 35 meshes with and drives a gear 36 rotatably mounted on the shaft 31, said gear 36 being joined by the collar 38 to the spur gear 39. The spur gear 39 meshes with a pinion 40 fixed to the shaft 4| (Figs 1, 2, and 6).

The shaft 4| extends to the front side of the machine into the gear housing 42. Fixed on shaft 4| in the gear housing 42 are three gears 43, 44 and 45 (Fig. 15), which gears are of progressively greater diameter. Another shaft 53 suitable extends into the gear housing 42 and mounted thereon are three gears 48, 41 and 48 which mesh with the gears 48, 44 and 45, respectively; The gears 48, 41 and 48 are not directly mounted on the shaft 58' but are mounted on a bushing 49 which rests against the boss 50. in the gear housing 42, through which the shaft 88' is extended. In the bearing portions of the gears 48, 41 and 48, resting on.the bushing 49, pockets 48', 41' and 48' are formed and in the bushing 49 an opening is provided, .and the pockets 48', 41 and 48' are arranged in position to communicate with this opening 5|. In the opening 5| a tumbler 52 is positioned, which tumbler is in the nature of a pin having relieved portions thereon. The relieved portions on the tumbler 52 provide rounded portions 53, 54 and 55 thereon, and these rounded portions are spaced apart so that when the tumbler 52 is arranged in the opening 5| these rounded portions will be respectively aligned with the gears 48, 41 and 48. On the outer end of the tumbler 52 a knob 55 is provided which has an opening 51 therein, and arranged in this opening is a spring 58, the outer end of said opening being closed in any desired manner, and thus the spring 58 is confined in the opening and acts on a ball 59 to force said ball toward the disc 50. The disc 68 cooperates with a flange 49 on the bushing 49 to retain the gears 45, 41 and 48 between the disc and the flange. The disc 60 is connected to the shaft 63 by a plate 5| which has an elongated opening therein that engages a similarly shaped portion on the shaft, and the plate 6| is connected to the disc- 60 by bolts 52. On the face of the knob 56 suitable indicia is provided, and this indicia is aligned with the rounded portions 53, 54 and 55. In the face of the disc 60 three sockets are formed in which the ball 59 may be selectively seated. By grasping the knob 55 and turning the same so as to move a portion of the indiciathereon into a vertical position, a certain one of the rounded portions on the tumbler 52 will be arranged to project beyond the opening 5|, and this rounded portion will seat in one of the pockets 46, 41' or 48 dependent upon which of the rounded portions is arranged in the described projecting position. In the present instance the portion 53 is disposed in the poo et 41. (See Figs. 15 and 17a.) Thus, by properly positioning the tumbler 52, one of the gears 45, 41 or 48 may be selectively connected to the shaft 63'. The ratio between the gears and 48 is 1 to 1 and thus when the gear 48 is connected in the above described manner the shafts 63 and 4| will rotate at the same speed; Similarly, when the gear 41 is connected in the above described manner, the shaft 4| will rotate twice as rapidly as the shaft 83', as'the ratio between the gears 44 and 41 is 2 to 1, and when the gear 46 is joined, as above described, the shaft 4| will rotate three times as rapidly as the shaft 63, as the ratio between the gears 43 and 46 is 3 to 1. An opening 42 is provided in the front wall of the housing 42 to afford access to the knob 56 in order that the above described connecting of the gears may be easily brought about.

A shaft 63 (Fig. 2) is journaled in a bearing 64 and in a bearing 65 adjacent the compound gear train 68. The end of the shaft 53, extending from the housing 42, is journaled in a bearing 66 adjacent the compound gear train 58, and this compound gear train serves to reduce the speed, and therefore the shaft 63 will rotate at a speed in a predetermined relation to the speed of rotation of the shaft 32 for a. purpose to be brought forth presently. On the end ofthe shaft 88 extending beyond the bearing 64 is a bevel gear 88 which meshes with the bevel gear I8 on the cam shaft 1| which extends longitudinally of the machine, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6 and which is supported in a manner to be described presently. on the inner end of the shaft 32 is a bevel gear 12 which meshes with a bevel gear 13 on the platen operating shaft 14.

On the bed 21 is a lug 15 (Fig. 12) and the arm 16 on the platen arm, generally indicated by 11, is pivotally mounted thereon. The platen arm 11 includes branch-arms l8 and 19 which extend on opposite sides of the shaft 14 and respectively mounted on these arms are roller 88 and 8| which respectively engage the conjugated cams 82 and 83 fixed on the platen operating shaft 14. Extending forwardly from the arm 19 is the platen or stamper arm 84 on which the platen P is mounted and as the shaft 14 is rotated the rises on the cams 82 and 83 cause a rocking of the platen arm about the pivotal mounting thereof on the lug 15, and thus the platen P is moved to and from printing position to perform the printing operation.

It has been pointed out that the sheets or tax bills A are stored in the rack 25 and are successively moved into the machine. These tax bills are moved into the machine past the wheel 85,

(Fig. 6) to be described more fully hereinafter,

and are positioned on the belt 86. The belt 86 extends longitudinally of the machine and about the pulleys 81 and 88 respectively mounted on the shafts 89 and 98, suitably supported at opposite ends of the bed 21. The belt 86 serves to feed the sheet to be printed longitudinally of the machine and to insure proper driving of this belt, pulleys 9| and 92 are respectively mounted on the shafts 89 and 98 and an endless belt 93 is directed around these pulleys, said belt 93 being guided around the operating mechanisms of the machine by the idler pulleys 94 mounted on the brackets 95 carried by the frame 26 (Fig. 1), and when one of the shafts 89 or 98 is driven, this belt serves to drive the other shaft.

' In printing machines of the character to which this invention appertains wherein the printed sheets are successively fed to printing position and stopped therein, certain problems are encountered in the feeding of the paper. First of all, it is desirable that the paper be moved as rapidly as possible and this is accomplished by operating the driving means, such as the belt 86, at an appreciable speed consistent however with the stopping of the paper in printing position. Inasmuch as the paper is stopped by causing the leading edge thereof to abut a stop finger, it is necessary that the speed at which the paper is moved be kept below a point which will be likely to cause injury to the edge of the sheet engaging the finger. Thus, it has been customary to provide a number of driving belts, such as the belt 86, and to rest the sheet thereon so as to be carried thereby until the leading edge of the sheet engages the stop finger. Frequently wheels have been arranged above the sheet which exert a light pressure thereon so as to hold the same in engagement with the driving belts. However, I have found that if the weight of the sheet alone is depended upon and only a single driving belt is provided proper sheet movement will not always result, and I have therefore provided an arrangement whereby I am enabled to force the sheet into engagement with the driving belt,

but I have arranged the means, which brings this instance such cams are mounted on the cam shaft.

I l. The cam shaft as employed herein, and which is generally indicated by II, is formed in two sections Joined by a coupling 1| (Fig. 6), and therefore the portion carrying the operating cams may be readily removed from the machine, while the portion of the cam shaft II, to which the gear 18 is connected, is permanently journaled in a bearing, such as 18', (Fig. 2). couplingv 1| rigidly interconnects the shaft sections and therefore the other end of the cam shaft may be journaled in a bearing at the end of the machine opposite the bearing 18', and such a bearing is indicated by 12' (Fig. 2). As best illustrated in Fig. 3, a bracket I68 extends upwardly from the bed 21 and has on the front face thereof a bifurcated lug 13' in which the cam shaft H is arranged, this bifurcated lug adding rigidity to the cam shaft and preventing sagging thereof and, if desired, additional supports such as the bifurcated lug 13', may be provided along the extent of the cam shaft 1|.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3, a table top 21' is arranged over the bed 21 and this table top may be made of. sheet metal or the like. Along the forward edge of this table top 21' are two supporting blocks 2| 4 and 2|5 having upwardly opening bifurcations 2| 4' and 2|5' in the upper ends thereof. The forward end of a supporting bar 2 I2 is journaled in the bifurcation 2|4' and a pin 2 l2 in the bar 2 l2 engages the inner face of the block 2 to prevent forward movement of the bar 2|2. At the opposite end of the bar 2|2 is a block 96 having a bifurcated finger 96' extending therefrom and the bifurcation in this finger embraces the cam shaft 1|. The forward end of the bar 2|3 is arranged in the bifurcation 2|5' and has a pin 2|3' therein and a block 91 on the opposite end of the bar 2|3 includes a bifurcated finger 91, similar to the bifurcated finger 96', and the bifurcation in this finger also embraces the cam shaft II. By reason of the fact that the blocks 96 and 91 are both supported from the cam shaft I it is apparent that these blocks may be supporter. above the table top 21 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. A shaft 98 is fixed in the bearing blocks 96 and 91 and serves to interconnect these blocks. Mounted on the bars 2|2 and 2|3 are adjustable bearing blocks 2| and 2|6' which carry a bar 2| I. The shaft 98 and the bars 2|2, 2|3 and 2 form a substantially rectangular superstructure and by lifting the forward ends of the bars 2 l2 and 2 l3 from the bifurcations 2 H and 2| 5' to disengage the pins 2 I2 and 2|3' from the blocks 2| 4 and 2|5 this super-structure may be lifted from the machine by reason of the arrangement including the bifurcated fingers 96' and 91'.

The shaft 98 provides a support for the membersoperated by the cams on the cam shaft II. A block 99 (Fig. 3) is pivotally mounted on the shaft 98 and extending forwardly therefrom is a The rod I00, at the free end 01' which a roller IOI is rotatably mounted, which roller is disposed above the belt 06, as best illustrated in Fig. 2. Extending from the block 99 in a direction opposite to the rod I00, is a finger I02 (Fig. 3), which has a cam surface thereon engaged by the cam I on the cam shaft II. A rocker I04 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 98 and includes a finger I05 having a cam surface thereon engaged by the cam I06 on the cam shaft H. The rocker I04 also carries the stop finger I01. After a sheet has been fed from the rack 25 and passed below the wheel 85 onto the belt 86 so that the forward end thereof will be disposed below the roller IOI, the-rise on the cam I03 will be moved from engagement with the cam surface on the finger I02 and therefore the block 99 will pivot by its own weight and the roller I 0| will engage the sheet and force the same into contact with the belt 86 and the sheet will be moved until the forward edge thereof is adjacent the stop finger I01, at which time the cam I06 will operate and permit the stop finger I01 to move into position relative to the forward edge of the sheet and immediately prior to the engagement of the forward edge of the sheet with the stop finger I01, the cam I03, will operate to elevate the roller IOI Thus. the frictional contact between the sheet A and the belt 86 will be materially reduced and consequently the force with which the sheet A strikes the finger I01 will be materially reduced and the likelihood of damage to the edge ofthe sheet will be substantially obviated.

When the sheet A is stopped by the finger I01 after having been first fed into the machine, the sheet will be positioned to receive the impression D which will be made thereon from the printing device I21 (Figs. 12 and 13) which will have been fed fromthe magazine. I08 by the chain printing device feeding arrangement I08 (Fig. 5), which may be of the character disclosed in the Duncan Patent No. 1,481,860, patented January 29. 1924. After having passed through printing position the printing devices are fed into the galley IIO (Fig. 1) arranged below the bed 21 wherein the printing devices are collected and stored in the same sequence as that in which the devices were arranged when introduced into the magazine I08. The printing device which will be in printing position will be the first of a group, that is, one having the name and address of the person to be taxed thereon and also a portion of the legal description of the parcel of property being taxed, or all of the legal description may be contained on this one device, as previously pointed out, and such a printing device is known as the lead printing device. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the platen operating shaft 14 makes two revolutions to one of the cam shaft H as a twosection tax bill is being printed. Therefore, after the platen P has4J een moved downwardly and has made an impression D on the sheet A, a suitable ink ribbon III (Fig. 1) being interposed between the printing device in printing position and the sheet, the cam shaft will operate to withdraw the finger I01 from stopping position and therefore the belt 86 will again move the sheet longitudinally of the machine and a portion of the sheet will pass between the roller I I2 and the belt 86, said roller II2 being similar to the roller IN and being mounted on a rod II3 carried by the block II4 pivotally mounted on the shaft 98, an arm II5 extending from the block II4 below the cam II6 on the cam shaft 1I, said cam IIG controlling operation of the roller H2. The shee will be moved by the above described mechanisms until it engages the stop finger II1 carried by the rocker I I8 that is pivotally mounted on the shaft 98 and which includes a finger I I9 that is disposed below the cam I20 on the cam shaft H, and at a predetermined time during the operation the cam I20 lowers the stop finger II1 into position to engage the sheet A and stop the same so that the portion thereof that is to receive the impression F will be aligned with the platen P, the roller II2 being withdrawn justprior to engagement of the sheet with the finger II1. Therefore the platen, upon the next operation thereof, will act to make the impression F on the section C of the sheet A. Extending longitudinally of the machine is a rod I2I that is supported from the bar 2I3 by the bracket 2 I6. The finger H1 is bifurcated to straddle the rod I2I, the forward end of said rod including an upturned portion I22 which facilitates the passage of the sheet therebelow, and when the finger H1 is moved upwardly by the cam I20 out of the path of the sheet A this rod I2I will act as a stripper to withdraw the edge of the sheet from engagement with the stop finger II1 and'therefore the sheet may be moved out of the machine by the belt 86 if but two impressions are to be made thereon.

As the machine may be used to make three impressions from each printing device, as when a three-section tax bill is to be printed, a rocker, such as that indicated by I23, is provided which carries a bifurcated stop finger I24 which also straddles the rod I2 I, and the rocker I23 includes a finger I25 operable by a cam on the cam shaft 1| and if, as stated, a three-section tax bill is to be printed, this finger will operate to stop the sheet in a position such that an impression may be made thereon in horizontal alignment with the impressions D and F. However, in the present embodiment of the invention the finger I25 engages a round cam I26 on the cam shaft H which does not cause operation of the stop finger I24 and thus the sheet A will not be stopped thereby.

In Fig. 13, the printing device I21 is shown in printing position, it being disposed above the usual anvil. The printing device I21a is arranged in what might be termed selector position. The printing device I21, in the present instance, is a printing device of the character used in making the impressions D and F, or a lead printing device, while the printing device I21a is of the character used in making subsequent impressions on the sheet such as the impressions K, M, R, and T, or a follower printing device. Disposed below the guideway I09 is a supporting member I28 (Fig. 12) which is made of insulating material. Carried by the supporting member I28 are spring contact arms I29 and I30 having contacts I3I and I32 at the outer free ends thereof. It has been pointed out that the printing device I21a is disposed in what is termed selectorposition and therefore the rear edge of this printing device is disposed adjacent the groove I33. Disposed in the groove I33 are the head portions I34 of the switch pins I35, the lower insulated ends of said switch pins resting on the upwardly disposed spring contacts I29. On each of the lead printing devices I21 is a tab I36 and this tab is arranged in alignment with the head portion I34 (Fig. 13) of one of the pins I35. On each of the follower printing devices-a tab, such as I31, is provided in alignment with the head portion I34." of one of the pins I35.

' Assuming that the printing device I21 has been in printing position and that the printing device I21a has been in selector position and that the impressi ns D and F have been made on the sheet A. It will therefore be necessary that the sheet be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow J in order that the impression K may be made at the proper place on the sheet. It should be noted that as the impressions are being made from the printing device I21 the tab. I31 is resting on the head portion I34" and is therefore acting through the pin I35 to hold the contacts I3I and I32 in engagement, and an electric circuit which includes these contacts is therefore arranged to be rendered operative, and when this circuit is rendered operative the paper will be shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow J.

By referring to Fig. 18 it may be seen that the line wires I38 and I39 are directed to a switch I40 and that wires MI and I42 extend from this switch to the electric motor I43, which is the source of power to which reference has heretofore been made. Connected to the wires HI and I42 are conductors I 44 and I45 which are connected to the switch I46. A conductor I41, which is a continuation of the conductor I 44, is connected to a bus bar I48. A conductor I49 is connected to the bus bar I48 and to a switch I50, the switch I50 being connected by a conductor I5I to a bus bar I52. A conductor I53 interconnects the bus bar I52 with one terminal of the solenoid I 54, while a conductor I55 connects the other terminal of the solenoid I54 with a bus bar I56. A conductor I51 interconnects the bus bar I56 and the spring contact arm I29 which carries the contact I3I. A conductor I58 is connected to the spring contact arm I30, which carries contact I32, and t0 the bus bar I59, while a conductor I60 interconnects the bus bar I59 and the switch I46, said.

conductor I60 being a continuation of the conductor I45. Therefore, when the contacts I3I and I 32 are engaged it is manifest that an electric circuit will be closed as soon as the switch I50 is closed and that when such an electric circuit is closed the solenoid I54 will be energized. Thus, the time at which the circuit will be closed is regulated by the switch I 50 (Fig. 2). This switch includes an operating arm I6I and mounted on the cam shaft 1| is a disc I62 (Fig. 3) having a pin I63 thereon which engages the operating arm I 6| at a predetermined time to close the switch I50.

However, just prior to the time the switch I50 closes the circuit the rise on the cam I64 on the platen operating shaft 14 (Figs. 3, 5 and 10) will engage the roller I65 at the upper end of the operating lever I66 that is pivotally mounted at I61 on the bracket I 68' (Fig. 5) extending upwardly from the bed 21. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the lever I66 is a pawl I68 (Figs. 10 and 11) having a pin I 69 depending therefrom, which pin normally rests against the shaft I10. Joined to the operating lever I66 is a latch I1I having a shoulder'l12 thereon, which normally rests against the fiat portion of the half-round pin I13 mounted on the member I14 which supports the solenoid I54. -As soon as the rise on the cam, I64 engages the roller I65, the lever I66 is moved so that the end thereof connected to the pawl I68 moves in a counter-clockwise direction, and therefore the shoulder I12 is moved a short distance to disengage the shoulder I12 from the flat portion on the pin I13. Simultaneous with this, the switch I50 will be operated to close the circuit and therefore the solenoid I54 will be rendered operative to move the armature I15 thereof upwardly. Disposed in alignment with the upper end of the armature I15 is a pin I16 carried by the latch I1 I and since the shoulder I12 on the latch will have previously been disengaged from the fiat portion on the pin I13 the latch I" may be moved upwardly in an amount suflicient to disengage the shoulder I12 from the flat portion. A spring I11 extends between spring anchors on the lever I66 and the member I14, and as the cam I64 continues to move and as the rise on said cam is withdrawn from engagement with the roller I65, the spring I11 will act on the lever I66 to hold said lever in engagement with the periphery of the cam I64 and therefore said lever will be motivated to move the pawl I68 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10. The pawl I68 has a spring anchor I18 at one end thereof to which one end of a spring I19 is attached, the other end of said spring being connected to the spring anchor I on lever I66. The disengaging of the shoulder I12 from the flat portion I13 and the movement imparted .to the lever I66 by the spring I61 causes the latch HI and the pawl I68 to be moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10, and when the pawl I68 is so moved the pin I69 is disengaged from the shaft I10 and therefore the spring I19 may pivot said pawl I68. On the end of the pawl I68, opposite the spring anchor I18 is a pin I8I having a half-round portion thereon. Slidably supported below the bed 21 is a rack I82 having a plurality of ratchet teeth I83 therein, there being one more of these teeth than the number of follower printing devices intended to be operated on in the machine. When the pawl I68 starts to move in the above described manner and when said pawl is pivoted by the spring I 19, the flat portion on the pin I8I engages the first of the ratchet teeth I83 on the rack I82, and this rack is moved along with the lever I 66. A retaining pawl I83 (Fig. 10) is provided which includes a pin I84 having a halfround or flattened portion thereon, and this retaining pawl I83 is pivotally mounted at I85 below a shoulder on the block I86, and includes a relieved upper surface I81, and disposed between the relieved upper surface I 81 and the upper portion of the block is a spring I88 which normally urges the half-round portion of the pin I84 into engagement with the ratchet teeth I83, and the movement imparted to the rack I82 by the pawl I68 is sufficient to move the rack the length of one tooth in order that the flat portion of the half-round portion of the pin I84 will be forced into engagement with the tooth subsequent to the tooth it has been engaging.

Connected to the rack I82 at the rear end thereof is a block I89 and secured to this block is a rack I90. The gear teeth in the rack I90 mesh with the teeth of the pinion I9I mounted on the shaft I92, and this shaft I92 extends longitudinally of the machine, and at the other end of the shaft I92 is a similar pinion and rack and the rack at this end of the shaft I92 has blocks I93 thereon movable through slots I94 in the table top 21' (Fig. 2). Similar blocks I95 are joined to the rack I82, and these blocks are movable through slots I96 in the table top 21'. The jogger pan I91 is connected to the blocks I93 and I95 by screws, or other suitable securing devices, and therefore when the pawl I68 moves the rack, the jogger pan I91 is moved rearwardly toward the platen P, and this direction of ters with an opening in the table top 21' and the printing operations are performed through these openings. As best shown in Figs. .3 and 5, the belt 88 passes over the jogger pan I91 and therefore the sheet which is being moved by said belt will be carried onto the pan I91 and be disposed between the channel portions I98 and I99. Thus, when the pan is moved in .the above described manner, it is manifest that the sheet A will also be moved.

It has been pointed'out that at the time the sheet is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow H (Fig. 21) it is also moved in the direction indicated by the arrow G in that figure, and this latter movement is brought about in the following manner: Mounted on the channel portion I99 of the pan I91 is a bracket 299 on which the medial portion of a rocker 29I is pivotally mounted. At one end of the rocker 29I is a bearing 292 through which a flexible shaft 299 is extended and on the end of the shaft 293 is a roller 294. The opposite end of the shaft 293 is journaled in a bearing in the bracket 295 mounted at one end of the bed 21, and on the end of the shaft 293 is a bevel gear 296 which meshes with a bevel gear 291 on the shaft 99. Inasmuch as the shaft 99 is continually rotated, it is manifest that the roller 294 will be continually rotated, and the roller 294 operates in a direction such that the underside thereof rotates opposite to the direction of movement of the belt 86. The roller 294 is held from engagement with the sheet A by the arm 298 of the bell crank, generally indicated by 299, which is pivotally mounted in the bracket 2 I9 that is carried by the bar 2| I. The bar 2| I is supported in juxtaposition to the sheet A in the pan I91 and serves to hold said sheet flatlyon the pan to prevent crumpling thereof. Connected to the arm 2I1 of the bell crank 299 is a link 2I8, which link is adjustably attached to the connecting block 2| 9 (Fig. 10) having a bifurcated end portion embracing. the pin 229' on the boss 229 of the lever I66. When the lever I68 is moved by the spring I11 the link 2I8 is moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10, and the bell crank 299 is moved so that the arm 298 thereof moves in a counter-clockwise direction and is therefore withdrawn from engagement with the rocker 29I which permits the roller 294 to move into engagement with the sheet A in the pan I91. The forward edge of the sheet A will have been engaging the stop finger II1 since the sheet has been positioned to receive the impression F. However, as soon as the roller 294 engages the sheet A said sheet will be moved away from the stop finger II1 since the roller 294 rotates in a direction opposite to the movement of the belt 86, and the sheet will be moved until it passes from engagement with the roller 294. The sheet will be disposed in the pan I91 between the flanges I98 and I99. The roller 294 will engage the sheet adjacent one edge and the tendency might be to twist the sheet but to obviate this a finger 294' carried by the bearing 292, is engaged with and retains the sheetat the same time the roller 294 engages the sheet. Thus, the sheet is properly moved by the roller 294 in the direction of the arrow a c .21). At the time the sheet disengages the ro ler 294 said roller will again be raised and parts associated with the lever I88 will again be repositioned in the positions shown inFig. 19 and the movement of the pan I91 in the direction of the platen'P will have been completed and therefore the belt 88 will move the sheet to engage the forward end thereof with the stop finger I91, and at this time the platen will be rendered operative to make theimpression K, for during the time the sheet was moved in the above described manner the printing device I21 will have been 'moved from printing position and the printing device I21a will have moved into printing position.

. It has been pointed out that the forward edge of the sheet A is engaged with the stop finger I91. This results from the. structure .which is so arranged that the timing of the shaft 1| is synchronized with the operation of the Just described mechanisms. Therefore, after the impression K has been made the cam shaft 1| will this time, and thus the sheet will be positioned to receive the impression M.

If a tax bill being printed is to receive impressions from a lead printing device and one follower printing device, the bill will move from the .machine as soon as the stop finger H1 is retracted However, if another follower printing device is used, this additional follower printing device will also have a tab I31 thereon and therefore immediately after the impression M has been made the switch I59 will again close the above described electric circuit and the cam I84 will again operate the lever I 66 to shift the pan I91 and lower the roller 294 to move the sheetin the direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the belt 86, it being understood that the shoulder I12 will have been reengaged with the fiat portion of the pin I13 after the pan I91 has been previouslyshifted. Thus, since the electric circuit is closed and as the cam I64 will be operating, the pan I91 will again be shifted in the manner previously described and thus the sheet A will be moved in the directions indicated by the arrows O and N (Fig. 23). These movements, as well as the movements indicated by the arrows H and G in Fig. 21, occur simultaneously and thus the sheet moves diagonally, as indicated by the arrows Q and J. Therefore, when the pan is moved for the second time, the portion of the section B of the sheet A to receive the impression R will be arranged below the platen P, and this impression will be made from the second of the follower printing devices, the stop, finger I91 again engaging the forward edge of the sheet to position the same, and after the impression R has been made the stop finger I 91 will be retracted and the sheet will be moved until it engages the stop finger II1 at-which time the impression T will be' made.

In the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated, the machine is arranged to print but from two follower printing devices. However, it is manifest that, if desired, the machine might be arranged to print from additional follower printing devices by merely. providing additional teeth I83 in the rack I82 and enlarging the various portionsof the machine in order that 8 r I additionalmovement of thepan I91 will be possible. However, it has been pointed out that the madority of legal descriptions may be arranged on but one lead printing device and two follower printlngdevlces, and I have therefore arranged the machine to operate under such conditions. Thus, after the impression T has been made the sheet A will pass from the machine and anew sheet will be introduced thereinto.

However, priort U the time that the newsheet is introduced into the machine it will be necessary to reposition the'pan I91 so that impressions may he made similar to the impressions D and F, and this is brought about in the following manner: The tab I36 on the lead printing device I21 is provided to bring about this last described operation. Thus, when the last of the follower printingdevices is in printinpposition the next lead printing device will be in selector position. This will be true even though the legal description is arranged on only a lead printing device or where butone follower printing device is provided. This tab I36, however, closes the circuit between the contacts 22I' and 22I carried on a pair of the spring contact arms I29 and I30. The contact arm I30, carrying the contact 22I, is connected bya conductor 222 to the bus bar I59 and thence through the conductor I to the switch I46. The spring contact arm I29, carrying the contact 22I', is connected by a conductor 223 to the bus bar 224 which, in turn, is connected by the conductor 225 to one end of the winding of the electro-magnetic relay 226, the other end of said winding being connected by the conductor 221 .to the bus bar 228 which, in turn, is connected by the conductor 229 to the switch 230 that, in turn, is connected by the conductor 23I to the conductor I49 which, through the bus bar I48 and the conductorI41, is connected to the switch I46. The switch 230 (Fig. 2) is arranged in juxtaposition to the switch I50 and includes an operating arm 232 engageable by the pin 233 onthe disc 234, which is mounted on the cam. shaft 1I. Therefore, when the contacts 22I' and HI are engaged and when the switch 230 is closed, a circuit will be closed to the relay 226. The relay 226 is mounted on the supporting platform 221 (Fig. 5) and when the circuit is closed thereto the pivotally mounted armature 235 thereof is attracted and movement imparted to the armature 235 is transmitted through the link -236 to withdraw the pin I84 from engagement with the teeth I83 of the rack I 82. A spring 231 (Figs. '10 and 11) extends between a spring anchor 238 on the rack I82 and a spring anchor 238 on the table top 21' and when the pin I84 is retracted in the above described manner this spring 231 acts to reposition the pan I 91, and the block I89 engages the bumper 240 to cushion the return movement of the pan as brought about by the spring'231. The retaining pawl I83 has a reduced end portion 24I and pivotally mounted at the end of the block I86 is a latch dog 242. When the retaining pawl is retracted from engagement with the teeth I83, the reduced end portion 24I is engaged by the retaining dog 242, which dog is urged into an engageable position by the spring 243, and therefore the retaining pawl is held from engagement with the ratchet teeth until the spring 231 moves the parts back into initial position at which time the spring anchor 238 will engage the dog 242 and move the same into the position shown in Fig. 11, and then the spring I88 may again position the pin I84 in engagement with the ratchet teeth I83.

It has been pointed out that a lead printing device carries at Y the name and address of the v printing characters at Z, and it is therefore advantageous that a portion of the printing means be rendered inoperative when a follower printing device is in printing position, and this is done by causing a portion of the platen to recede from operating position. As best shown in Fig. 12, a housing 244 is provided about the conjugated cams'82 and 83 which bring about operation of the platen P. Provided on this housing 244 is a bearing bracket 245 in which a shaft 246 is journaled (Fig. 6). Pivotally mounted on the shaft 246 and depending therefrom is an arm 241 (Fig. 12). a block 248. In the block 248 is a slot 249, and

a clamp screw 250 is extended through this slot and is threaded into the arm 241, and therefore .by varying the position of the screw 250 in the slot 249, and tightening the same, the arm 241 may be adjusted relative to the block 248 and therefore the shaft 246. At the lower end of the arm 241 is a foot portion 25I which is intended to be positioned below the nose 252 of the dog 253, carried by the platen P, during downward movement of theplaten under conditions to be described. As best shown in Fig. 9, a cam plate 254 is provided on the channel portion I 98 of the pan I91. When the pan I91 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow H in Fig. 21, this cam plate 254 disengages the roller 255 on the arm 256 pivotally mounted on the shaft 98. A pin 251 in the shaft 98 has one end of a spring 258 connected thereto, the other end of the spring 258 being secured to a spring anchor 259 on the arm 256, and this spring tends to urge the roller 255 downwardly. Thus, when the roller 255 is disengaged the arm 256 moves downwardly and therefore the arm 260, connected to the arm 256, is moved in a clockwise direction, and this movement is transmitted through the link 26I to the arm 262 which is fixed on the shaft 246, and this movement of the arm 262 is transmitted through the shaft 246 to the arm 241 to position the foot Fixedly mounted on the shaft 246 is portion 25I below the nose 252 of the dog 253.

The dog- 253 is fixedly mounted on the pin 263, whichpin includes a. flattened portion 264, and this pin is carried by the housing of the platen P. A similar pin 265 is mounted in the platen housing and includes a flattened portion 266, and an arm 261 is connected to the pin 265, and this arm is connected by the link 268 to the dog 253. A spring 269 is connected to a spring anchor 210 on the'dog 253, and in normal conditions this spring extends below the center of the pin 263 and holds the dog 253 in a downward position. However, when the platen P moves downwardly and the foot portion 25I is aligned with the nose 252, the dog 253 will be pivoted and the spring 269 will be disposei above the center of the pin 263. A screw 21I is hired in the platen section P' and, a spring 212 acts on the head of this spring 21I to urgethe same upwardly, and when the dog 253 is piWted, as above described, the pins 263 and 266 are turned so as to move the flat portions therecif into a position disposed toward the platen s tion P, and therefore the spring 212 will cause rm platen section P to recede. The section P,

is that which is aligned with the portion Y of the printing devices carrying the legal description, and thus impressions will be made only by the platen section P" from the portion Z. The platen section P will be receded during downward movement of the platen and during upward movement of the platen stroller 213 on the link 268 will engage the cam surface 214 (Fig. 6) at the lower end of the arm 215 depending from the housing 244, and the engagement-of this roller 213 with said cam surface will cause the parts to be re-.

positioned in the position shown in Fig. 7, and thus the platen section P will be caused to recede only during the time the platen P is in, or near, printing position. I

In order that the machine will only operate when a sheet is positioned in the pan I91, the wheel is provided, and this wheel is mounted on the arm 216 (Fig. 6), which am 216 is pivotal- The arm 216 includes a porly mounted at 211; tion 218 which extends upwardly at an angle to the main extent of said am and which carries a roller 219 that may rest on the cam 288 on the shaft 83. The wheel 85 is aligned with a grooved wheel 28I on the shaft 89, and when a sheet is in proper position the wheel 85 rests on the sheet, but when no sheet is in proper position the wheel 85 passes into the groove in the wheel 28I, and the roller 219 is lowered and permits the shoulder 282 on the rod 283 to engage the shoulder 284 on the cam 288, and the rod 283 is therefore moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 6. The rod 283 is connected to the latch member 285 of the structure which engages and disengages the clutch 33. The latch member 285 includes a shoulder 286 engageable by the shoulder 281 on the dog 288, which dog 288 is mounted on the shaft 289 operable by the handle 298. When the dog 288 is positioned, as shown in Fig. 6, with the shoulder 281 resting on the shoulder 286, the clutch structure 33 is engaged. The clutch 33 includes a collar 29I (Fig. 1a) which is suitably secured to the flywheel 38 but which is rotatable on the shaft 32. A disc 292 is fixed to the shaft 32, and pivotally mounted on this disc is a. latching pawl 293 having a nose 294 which is urged toward a pocket 295 in the collar 29| by the spring 296, said nose 294 being held out of said pocket by the engagement of the pawl with the latching member 291, which is pivotally mounted at 298 on the frame of the machine, and which has a pin 299 therein. A member 38I, fixed on shaft 289, has a slot 388 therein which is eccentric to the shaft 289. When the handle 298 is disposed as shown in Fig. 6 the member 38I is so positioned that the pin 299 is in the less eccentric portion of the slot 388 and the nose of the latching member 291 is withdrawn from engagement with the pawl 293, and the nose 294 thereof is seated in the pocket 295, and thus the flywheel 88 and the shaft 32 are connected. When, however, the handle 298 is moved so as to move the rounded portion 382 of the dog 288 into engagement with the latching member 285, the latching member 291 engages the pawl 293 and disengages the nose 294 from the pocket 295, and thus the flywheel 38 is disconnected from the'shaft '32. The latching member 285 is urged toward the dog 288 by the spring 383 but the rounded portion sition to the action of the spring 383, and it is therefore manifest that the rod will disconnect the shoulders 286 and 281, and the spring 383 acts through the shaft 289 to normally urge the handle 298 into a position in which the rounded portion 382 will be engaging the latch 285. The

disengagement of the shoulders 286 and 281 may also be brought about by the safety handle 384, the striking of this handle obviously disengaging the shoulders. In Fig. 1 the means for engaging the clutch are-shown in disengaged position. It has been pointed out that relatively rapid movement is imparted to the shaft 4|, and this move ment is transmitted through the gear train 385 (Fig. 1) to drive the shaft 89, this movement in turn, being transmitted through the belt 93 to the shaft 98, and therefore movement imparted to the belt 86 will be relatively rapid. The compound gear train 68 serves, however, to reduce the speed of the shaft 63 to properly synchronize the movement of the cam shaft 1| with-the shaft 32, and thus the high speed of the shaft 4| is not at all detrimental.

It has been pointed out that suflicient teeth 83 are provided in the rack I82 to print from two follower printing devices and one lead printing device, and it has also been shown that additional teeth might be provided so that the device might print from additional follower printing devices. The machine, as described, however, has been arranged to print only on a two-section tax bill, and the cams arranged on the cam shaft 1| are arranged to bring about such operation. However, it has been pointed out that a three-section tax bill may readily be printed in the machine, and a stop finger is shown which may be used when such a bill is being printed. When a twosection tax bill is printed, the speed changing mechanism in the housing 42 is arranged to provide a 2 to 1 ratio and a cam shaft, such as the cam shaft 1|, is provided. However, when a three-section bill is to be printed, the speed changing mechanisms in the housing 42 will be arranged to provide a 3 to 1 ratio and the cam shaft 1| will be replaced by a cam shaft having cams thereon timed to bring about the positioning of-the tax bill in three different length positions, and in this instance the cam I26 will be supplanted by a cam which will bring about operation of the stop finger I24. Thus, if a tax bill having additional positions were to be printed an additional stop finger would be arranged in the machine, and provision would be made in the housing 244 for bringing about a 4 to 1 ratio, and a cam shaft having cams thereon timed for such operation would be arranged in the machine. If desired, a device may be arranged to print on but one section of a tax bill, and this would be consecutive printing, and in this instance the cam shaft would replace the cam shaft 1 I which would operate but one stop finger, and the speed changing mechanisms in the housing 42 would be arranged to give a 1 to 1 ratio.

In the foregoing description I have set forth the manner in which the machine is used in the printing of tax bills on real property and wherein the legal description is arranged on the printing devices, sometimes on more than one printing device, and wherein when this is done these printing devices are arranged in groups. However, the machine is also adaptable for use in the printing of other matter and one example of this is in the printing of tax bills for personal property wherefore not necessary to move the tax bill other than rectilinearly through the machine and therefore 

